Business & Economy

UCF-Based Research Fuels $100k Win for Entrepreneur

Hysense Technology CEO Nahid Mohajeri and Production Manager Monica Kowalczik accept the grand prize check of $100,000 for placing first in the CAT5 competition at Innovation Concourse of the Southeast 2014 in Orlando.

A UCF spinoff company received the $100,000 first-place award at the CAT5 innovation competition at Innovation Concourse of the Southeast: Manufacturing and Safety event in Orlando. The company took the top prize from a pool of more than 80 technology-based companies.

HySense Technology, founded by UCF Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) researcher Nahid Mohajeri, produces and markets an intelligent tape that changes color in the presence of hydrogen and other gases.

“This is real validation, just the fact that people, the judges, believe in us,” Mohajeri said.

Mohajeri worked with the research team led by Ali Raissi at FSEC that developed the technology to detect hydrogen leaks wherever hydrogen is stored, transported, or transferred as part of a $20 million grant from NASA’s Glenn Research Center. Her company later licensed the technology from UCF.

HySense is marketing a specialty beige tape that turns black when hydrogen is detected. It can be wrapped around or attached to surfaces where gas might leak. Mohajeri has five customers so far, and is aiming for $90,000 total revenue this year.

“To have an awards program like this in Central Florida is huge,” Mohajeri added. “As scientists, we are very much aware that low wages are an issue in the region. But these awards can bring more high-paying jobs here. When people see that we have this level of support that makes a difference.”

The CAT5 competition is hosted by Space Florida and UCF. It showcases tech companies in the Southeast and attracts venture funding for entrepreneurs.

“The CAT5 awards support the idea that technology businesses are a key component to the enhancement of Florida’s future innovation and economic growth.” said Tom O’Neal, associate vice president of research & commercialization at UCF. “HySense is a clear example of such as success story.”

Hysense Technology CEO Nahid Mohajeri and Production Manager Monica Kowalczik accept the grand prize check of $100,000 for placing first in the CAT5 competition at Innovation Concourse of the Southeast 2014 in Orlando.

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Comments

csantos, 2014-06-16 13:29:37

Great question! The pigment within the tape can be modified to respond to other gases. For specifics, contact the technology developer directly: Dr. Nahid Mohajeri, of HySense nahid@hysensetechnology.com

Dan, 2014-06-06 11:43:34

This is a terrific achievement! Also, a question: Does the tape respond to other gases? If it is specific to hydrogen, it would be very interesting to hear about what is the mechanism that makes the pigment color change specific to hydrogen.